Zach Randolph

Randolph, who spent the past eight seasons in Memphis, signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the Kings over the summer. The move was largely unexpected, as Randolph had become one of the faces of the Grizzlies’ franchise and it was assumed the Kings would avoid significan...

Randolph has been one of the league’s most consistent producers at the power forward spot for the better part of the last decade, but his numbers regressed last season, as he averaged 15.3 points and 7.8 rebounds while playing 29.6 minutes per game. It was just the second time since 2003 that Randolph’s workload dipped below 30 minutes per game, and he missed 14 contests while battling nagging ankle and knee issues that hindered his effectiveness over the second half of the season. Randolph will look to bounce back in 2016-17, but he turned 35 in July, so it may be unreasonable to expect him to completely return to his pre-2015 form. The big man has averaged a double-double in eight of his last 10 seasons, but his rebounding rate dropped to a near-career low 15 percent last season, foreshadowing a decline that most aging frontcourt players experience toward the end of their careers. Randolph, who shot nearly 48 percent from the floor and 79.6 percent from the line last season, is still capable of delivering useful figures in a few categories, but he’s unlikely to see a heavy enough workload to be a true double-double threat on a nightly basis.

2015-16

Randolph recorded 16.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.2 blocks in 33 minutes per game during 71 regular season games last season. The 34-year-old forward shot 49 percent from the field, 35 percent from deep, and 77 percent from the free-throw line. In 11 postseason games, his averages slipped to 15.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.5 steals in 35 minutes per game on 42 percent from the field, 20 percent from beyond the arc, and 88 percent from the stripe. Randolph ia starting to get up there in age, offers little in the three-point department, and his efficiency plummeted against top competition in the playoffs, where he needed 15.3 shot attempts to get his 15.6 points. Yet, he has been a candidate to suffer a drop-off in production for years, and it's still entirely possible he'll be a great source of points and rebounds again in 2015-16.

2014-15

Randolph is entering his 15th season. Last season, he averaged 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 34 minutes per game through 79 games. He shot 47 percent from the field on 15.2 attempts per game and 74 percent from the free-throw line on 4.3 attempts per game. His 2.5 assists per game were a career-high, and it was the eighth time in his career he averaged a double-double during the regular season. During six playoff games versus the Thunder, Randolph averaged 18.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 39 minutes per game. He shot 40 percent from the field on 17.3 attempts per game and 61 percent from the free-throw line on 6.8 attempts per game. He was suspended for Game 7 after throwing a punch in Game 6, but this didn't scare the Grizzlies away from signing him to a two-year, $20 million extension, keeping him with the team through the 2016-17 season. Since joining the Grizzlies in 2009-10 Randolph has averaged a double-double in every season except 2011-12, during which he was riddled by injuries and managed to appear in only 28 games. Despite his 2.5 assists per game in 2013-14, categorically Randolph's most consistent contributions are in the scoring and rebounding departments, and he's probably not someone that should be relied on to produce much else in terms of assists, steals, blocks, and three-pointers. Still, he's one of the key cogs on the Grizzlies along with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Provided he's able to stay healthy, the 33-year-old power forward will likely continue to be an extremely relevant fantasy player in 2014-15.

2013-14

Randolph put up a strong comeback 2012-13 season after having played just 28 games in the 2011-12 season due to injuries. He finished the year with averages of 15.4 points (46 percent from the field, 75 percent from the line), 11.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists. While Randolph has never been the type of player to produce steals and blocks on a consistent basis (with career averages of just 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks), he is likely to remain a double-double machine even as he enters his 13th year in the NBA. Owners who decide to draft him may want to consider finding other frontcourt options to fill up the hole in the blocks category. Randolph should continue to see big minutes in the rotation despite the offseason addition of Kosta Koufos, whose ability to back up both big man spots can only help Randolph remain fresh throughout the season. While Randolph's best days are most likely behind him, he still looks to be a solid fantasy option this coming season.

2012-13

Randolph was one of many casualties in the lockout-shortened season. He tore the MCL in his right knee four games in. He eventually returned from the injury in March, but was limited and never really got up to snuff until late in the regular season. He finished the season averaging 11.6 points and 8.0 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game--10 minutes less per game than he averaged 2010-11. That said, he’s still a dangerous low-post scorer with a variety of moves and a deft shooting touch. Prior to his injury-marred 2011-12 season, Randolph had averaged over 20 points per game for three straight seasons, while also averaging at least 10 rebounds during the same stretch. Where Randolph excels at contributing great numbers in points and rebounds, he fails to contribute much in the other counting categories. He averages 0.3 blocks per game for his career and has never been a good or willing passer. He started to show signs of good health in the playoffs. With a full offseason to get the knee right, Randolph should resume his typical 20/10 production.

2011-12

After years of not living up to his on-court talent and dealing with what seemed to be endless off-court issues, the much-maligned Randolph has put it all together since joining the Grizzlies. For the second consecutive season, Randolph averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds, making him the only player in the NBA to do so in each of the past two years. As his game has matured, Randolph has become more efficient as a player, leading to his highest shooting percentage (50.1) and his lowest turnover (2.0) total since becoming a full-time player in 2003-04. While he’s proven to be one of the better double-double options in the league, Randolph remains dreadful on the defensive end of the court. His 0.8 steals is a decent mark for a power forward, but his 0.3 blocks ranks among the worst in the league at this position. Randolph recently had a run-in with the law after a man was assaulted at the NBA star’s home, but he’s not considered a suspect in the investigation. As long as he can stay out of trouble, Randolph will be remain one of the best scoring and rebounding combos in fantasy.

2010-11

After two teams in two seasons gave Randolph up for nothing, the Grizzlies' acquisition of Z-Bo was questioned – and criticized. "Why would an up-and-coming team like the Grizz want Z-Bo around?" Last season, we got the answer – Randolph and Marc Gasol emerged as a highly formidable frontcourt pairing, with Randolph reaching those magic numbers – 20-and-10 – in points and rebounds per game. Unfortunately, after the season, Randolph's less-appealing side manifested itself again, with two separate criminal investigations – one in Indianapolis and another in L.A. For the time being, the Grizzlies are standing by Randolph; there's even been talk of a new deal, as Randolph's $17.5 million contract expires after the season. For that reason alone, Randolph has plenty of motivation to be on his best behavior – another 20-10 season is to be expected.

2009-10

Randolph will start at power forward for the Grizzlies and should put up similar stats to what he amassed while with the Clippers last year. He’s a double-double machine who should easily approach 20-10 on one of the league’s worst teams. Only three other players, Dwight Howard, Al Jefferson and Chris Bosh, averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds last season, putting Randolph in good company. While his name appears next to All-NBA talent in the points and rebounds departments, Randolph’s game has warts in other areas. He doesn’t block shots, averaging less than half a block per game throughout his career, and there’s little reason to believe he’ll change his defensive tune this year. Randolph has taken an increasing number of three point attempts over the last two seasons. With Marc Gasol and rookie Hasheem Thabeet doing most of their work around the paint, Randolph could be asked to step out and shoot more threes this year. Memphis scored the second least points per game in the league last year (93.9), so even with young scoring threats OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay getting their shots, Randolph will be asked to provide the same offensive production he has with his previous teams, making him the de facto primary offensive threat in the Grizzlies’ frontcourt.

2008-09

The Knicks are now very clearly in rebuilding mode, with decisions to make on several players, including Randolph. According to various reports, general manager Donnie Walsh passed on a trade that would have sent Randolph to the Clippers for cap relief. That could mean they think he’ll play well in Mike D’Antoni’s system, or that they think he’ll put up good enough numbers that they’ll get a better offer at the deadline. Either way, don’t forget that Randolph was considered an automatic 20-and-10 this time last year. If he lands a significant role in the Knicks’ rotation – or if he’s traded to a team with an opening at the four (Memphis has been mentioned most often of late), there’s no reason he couldn’t reach that lofty plateau again.

2007-08

Randolph is coming off of a career season in Portland, but this summer he was traded to New York which could hurt his fantasy outlook. Randolph is one of the best low-post scorers in the NBA, and his dominant scoring/rebounding numbers (23.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg) combined with his solid shooting percentages (46.7% FG, 81.9% FT) help overcome his lack of steals/blocks and frequent turnovers (3.2 /game). He joins a Knicks team that starts Eddy Curry at center, and Curry shares almost all of the same strengths and weaknesses as Randolph. This could push Randolph off the block on offense. While he has a solid mid-range jumper, that isn’t where he is most effective. If this causes his scoring and field-goal percentage to dip, his fantasy value could slip down a notch. On the other hand, Curry is allergic to rebounds which could leave more for Randolph, and even if Randolph’s production slides a notch he should still remain an effective fantasy starter.

2006-07

Randolph was a classic 20/10 big man before going down with a knee injury that required microfracture surgery in 2005. Last season was his first year back, and though he still posted a respectable 18 ppg and 8.0 rpg, physically he wasn’t fully recovered. Randolph is a 6-9, 255 pound chunk that used to make his money on the blocks. Last season, though, he spent more time on the perimeter where his knee didn’t have to take as much pounding. This helped lead to his career-low 44% shooting from the field, as well as his lowest scoring and rebounding outputs since he became a starter. Since Randolph doesn’t contribute positively to any other category, he needs to regain his 20/10/good-shooting-percentage status that he maintained pre-injury. Microfracture surgery generally takes 18 months to heal completely, so theoretically Randolph should be healthier this season than he was a year ago.

2005-06

It takes a bold fantasy owner to draft anybody on the Blazers, but if you have to pick someone, Randolph's your best bet. After propelling many fantasy teams in 2003-04 with a huge season, Randolph suffered through an injury-plagued 2004-05, playing just 46 games due to knee problems. When he did play, Randolph averaged 19 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game, but he drew the ire of former coach Maurice Cheeks for shooting too much and failing to keep his teammates involved. Randolph's not much of a defensive presence, so won't give you much in the way of steals or shot-blocking. But if it’s points, boards and shooting percentage you need, a healthy Randolph is a pretty good bet.

2004-05

Isn't it amazing how some teams have distinct personalities that extend to every player? The Detroit "Bad Boy" Pistons... The "Bash Brother" A's of the late '80s and early '90s. John Madden's Raiders. And, of course, the Jail Blazers. Has every player on this team been in trouble with the law, or does it just seem that way? In the latest installment of this Rose City soap opera, Randolph was involved in a shooting at a nightclub last month. He didn't pull the trigger, but he may have misled the police and hindered the investigation. This after winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award with a 20.1-point, 10.5-board, two-assist average for the 2002-03 season. He was a lock to receive a fat contract extension - now rumors have him being shipped out to the first taker. Draft him for his considerable talent - he was an automatic double-double last year, and is primed to improve. But when drafting, consider the baggage.

2003-04

He figures to play a more prominent role for Portland in 2003-04. During the playoff series against Dallas, he averaged 13.9 points and 8.7 rebounds in 29.3 minutes – all increases over his regular season numbers. The depth chart currently has him backing up Rasheed Wallace at power forward, but we expect Randolph to get a solid 25 minutes per night.